Cornelis Maes · No. 329

Nest & Bouquet

Nest & Bouquet is Cornelis Maes at his most tender. A loose bouquet of roses, tulips and forget-me-nots rises from a dark ground, and at its base sits a bird's nest cradling speckled eggs, butterflies and a caterpillar threading through the stems, every leaf beaded with dew. Maes draws on the van Huysum tradition of weaving small living creatures into the flowers, a reminder of nature's quiet cycles. The single dramatic light catches the eggs and petals against the shadow, lending intimacy and warmth. The detail is exquisite, from the fuzz of the caterpillar to the gloss of the eggs. Delicate, lifelike and quietly poetic, it is one of the most charming pieces in the collection.

An original oil painting on canvas by Cornelis Maes, painted to order — never a reproduction. Sumptuous old-master still lifes — lavish flowers, fruit and banquet pieces in dramatic chiaroscuro, hyper-detailed and richly glazed in the manner of the Dutch masters.

Artist

Cornelis Maes

Medium

Oil on canvas

Finish

Unframed, ready to hang or frame

Made

To order, by hand